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Every Little Thing: Based on the song 'Three Little Birds' by Bob Marley
Bob Marley's songs are known the world over for their powerful message of love, peace, and harmony. Now a whole new generation can discover one of his most joyous songs in this reassuring picture book adaptation written by his daughter Cedella and exuberantly illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. This upbeat story reminds children that the sun will always come out after the rain and mistakes are easily forgiven with a hug. Every family will relate to this universal story of one boy who won't let anything get him down, as long as he has the help of three very special little birds. Including all the lyrics of the original song plus new verses, this cheerful book will bring a smile to faces of all ages—because every little thing's gonna be all right! Plus, this is a fixed- format version of the book, which looks nearly identical to the print version.
24 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2012
38 people are currently reading
763 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
September 30, 2020
It is wrong to admit that I did not realize one of the most recognized Bob Marley song is actually called Three Little Birds? Please do not think too bad about me. 🤫
The message of love and kindness that Cedella Marley Booker shares is wonderful! It speaks to the importance of knowing self-love and not getting bogged down with those things that do not bring us joy. With the illustrations provided by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Marley Booker encourages her readers to find joy and pleasure in everything we do—big and small. Even when mistakes are made, there are lessons to be learned. (Some adults could probably appreciate this book).
I want to finish with another honest statement: The song is know stuck in my head. 😁
The message of love and kindness that Cedella Marley Booker shares is wonderful! It speaks to the importance of knowing self-love and not getting bogged down with those things that do not bring us joy. With the illustrations provided by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Marley Booker encourages her readers to find joy and pleasure in everything we do—big and small. Even when mistakes are made, there are lessons to be learned. (Some adults could probably appreciate this book).
I want to finish with another honest statement: The song is know stuck in my head. 😁
January 30, 2013
From Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella, comes a new picture book based on her father’s song “Three Little Birds.� The message repeating over and over in the song is “Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cause every little thing is gonna be all right.� The same is true for the book, which is titled Every Little Thing.
A boy rises in the morning to great a new day, with three little birds on his doorstep leading the way. The birds are there when he sees someone sitting alone on a swing at the playground, so the boy includes the lonely kid in a soccer game that’s going on.
The birds are there when he makes a mess baking in the kitchen, but the boy’s parents hold him and tell him it’s going to be all right. And the birds are there when his mom and dad sing him to sleep at night. The illustrations, by Vanessa Brantley-Newton are colorful and fun. They include a grumpy kitty, who isn’t having as good of a day as the boy is. The kitty would like to catch the birds, but in the end, even he ends up charmed by them.
Cedella Marley includes a note in the end about the meaning the song has for her, and how it passes along an important message: “as long as we share our love with others, even if storm clouds gather, we will be okay.�
My husband and I often sang “Three Little Birds� to our daughters when they were growing up. Every Little Thing offers the opportunity to share the music along with a great story for kids. I highly recommend it.
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A boy rises in the morning to great a new day, with three little birds on his doorstep leading the way. The birds are there when he sees someone sitting alone on a swing at the playground, so the boy includes the lonely kid in a soccer game that’s going on.
The birds are there when he makes a mess baking in the kitchen, but the boy’s parents hold him and tell him it’s going to be all right. And the birds are there when his mom and dad sing him to sleep at night. The illustrations, by Vanessa Brantley-Newton are colorful and fun. They include a grumpy kitty, who isn’t having as good of a day as the boy is. The kitty would like to catch the birds, but in the end, even he ends up charmed by them.
Cedella Marley includes a note in the end about the meaning the song has for her, and how it passes along an important message: “as long as we share our love with others, even if storm clouds gather, we will be okay.�
My husband and I often sang “Three Little Birds� to our daughters when they were growing up. Every Little Thing offers the opportunity to share the music along with a great story for kids. I highly recommend it.
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 20, 2021
Raggae Music is sick. And if you don't know what reggae music is, it's basically what the Africans made and their relegion was the Rastas. This song is truly a master piece and Bob Marley died before I was even born, he died in 1980's and I'm only 23. I'm a singer too so check me out on YouTube just type in Harris J and Subscribe to me to.
September 26, 2012
Based on the life-affirming song by Bob Marley, this picture book reminds readers that things will be all right, especially with a little encouragement from those around you. Even though everyone has something in their lives that troubles them, there is always a new day and a new start. The positive message carries over even when the book's protagonist makes a mistake and receives reassurance from his famiy members that they forgive him for making such a mess. Young readers will enjoy watching the three birds that flit across the book's pages and the mixed media and digital illustrations that feature a smiling, dreadlocked youngster enjoying each day.
February 20, 2013
Based on her late father's song, "Three Little Birds", Cedella Marley's Every Little Thing is a catchy, upbeat, happy read. This is one of those books that is just plain fun to read. It's one that puts a smile on your face, and one both of my kids and I loved. The illustrations that accompany Cedella's words are vibrant, brightly colored pictures that add to the cheerfulness of this must have book. I love that this book can be read or sung. If Cedella's goal was to bring happiness and cheer to those who read, she definitely accomplished her goal. I highly recommend this one!
November 23, 2013
Bright cheerful artwork by Vanessa Brantley-Newton weaves in and out of Bob Marley's upbeat words in this book by Cedella Marley.
I really think though to get the most out of this book that you need to share Bob's song, "Three Little Birds". Otherwise the cadence and the message will be missing something.
Pam T~
--review copy
I really think though to get the most out of this book that you need to share Bob's song, "Three Little Birds". Otherwise the cadence and the message will be missing something.
Pam T~
--review copy
April 10, 2013
Another great read-aloud with vivid illustrations by Cedella Marley.I read this to my kindergarten students and the words and music (I played a version of the song as well for a second reading) stuck in their heads. They engaged in good conversation and sharing of ideas on how to change their day around/ not to worry when things don't go well.
August 25, 2017
This song is the inspiration for the three little birds tattooed on my chest, so of course I love this book/song and was so happy to share it with Evie. I just got it from the library today and she has requested it over and over!
September 19, 2012
I don't care if you are Bob's daughter, I think nobody gets to touch the lyrics to Three Little Birds.
September 13, 2014
Marley, C., & BrantleyNewton, V., (2012). Every Little Thing. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.
No review source necessary.
Picture Book Soak. (One more that caught my attention.)
Every Little Thing, was adapted by Cedella Marley, Bob Marley’s oldest child. It is the lyrics to Bob Marley’s famous song, “Three Little Birds.� The vividly bright and beautiful illustrations were by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. This book would put you in a good mood and get you singing those catchy lyrics, guaranteed. It follows an adorable little boy through his day while he walks to school, plays with friends and includes outsiders, and goes back home to his family. I would play this song for my students while we read the book together and I would encourage them to sing along to the chorus: “Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cause every little thing is gonna be alright.� After the song is over, we can have a discussion about things that stress us out or upset us and how we can manage those things the best way possible. A classic feel-good song flawlessly turned into a feel-good book!
No review source necessary.
Picture Book Soak. (One more that caught my attention.)
Every Little Thing, was adapted by Cedella Marley, Bob Marley’s oldest child. It is the lyrics to Bob Marley’s famous song, “Three Little Birds.� The vividly bright and beautiful illustrations were by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. This book would put you in a good mood and get you singing those catchy lyrics, guaranteed. It follows an adorable little boy through his day while he walks to school, plays with friends and includes outsiders, and goes back home to his family. I would play this song for my students while we read the book together and I would encourage them to sing along to the chorus: “Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cause every little thing is gonna be alright.� After the song is over, we can have a discussion about things that stress us out or upset us and how we can manage those things the best way possible. A classic feel-good song flawlessly turned into a feel-good book!
June 16, 2014
This book is the words to the song Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. The words stress that when things are great and fun or sometimes not how we want them to be, everything will be alright. I am excited to include this book in my text set because I think the motto "everything will be alright" will be helpful for my classroom culture. The book has beautiful colorful pictures and features an African American boy who plays lots of the same games as kids in my class. I think these features will make the story relatable and will be a great reference point for tattle tale situations, crying, etc. I think part of being kind is being able to acknowledge that things will be okay even if other kids in the class or circumstances aren't exactly as we hope them to be. This book obviously strays from a strict kindness theme, but I think the idea that when others aren't being their best selves, we can let it go and trust that everything will be ok.
April 7, 2016
1) No awards received.
2) Appropriate for Pre-K through second.
3) The story is a rendition of "Three Little Birds" song by Bob Marley. There is a positive message throughout the book that everyone makes mistakes and the sun will always shine even on the bad days!
4) Besides the feel good experience in the classroom the children will feel, but they will be able to relate their own life experiences with this story in a calm, stress-free way. The majority of children that will come through the classroom will have a bad day whether there was an issue at home or even at school with peers. The story illustrates beautifully that everything will be okay.
5)
Think-Pair-Share
Create a feel-good object such as a drawing or a canvas of what makes everyone happy. Keep the illustrations somewhere in the classroom so when a child is having a bad day he/she can have some quiet, self time or even with the teacher to better the day for hat child.
2) Appropriate for Pre-K through second.
3) The story is a rendition of "Three Little Birds" song by Bob Marley. There is a positive message throughout the book that everyone makes mistakes and the sun will always shine even on the bad days!
4) Besides the feel good experience in the classroom the children will feel, but they will be able to relate their own life experiences with this story in a calm, stress-free way. The majority of children that will come through the classroom will have a bad day whether there was an issue at home or even at school with peers. The story illustrates beautifully that everything will be okay.
5)
Think-Pair-Share
Create a feel-good object such as a drawing or a canvas of what makes everyone happy. Keep the illustrations somewhere in the classroom so when a child is having a bad day he/she can have some quiet, self time or even with the teacher to better the day for hat child.
September 12, 2013
One of my very favorite songs is Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. I started singing it to my daughter when she was a tiny little baby and now she always asks me to sing it to her when she is frustrated or upset.The lyrics quickly calm her down and she often joins in on the chorus. When I spotted this book one day at a school book fair, I most definitely was excited! It includes the chorus from the popular song, but Bob's daughter Cedella also came up with some great lyrics just for kids. It follows a young boy throughout his day as he makes mistakes, encourages others and remembers to not worry so much about everything. You have to love a great book that includes such a wonderful, positive message. Looking forward to checking out the other versions by this author!
February 14, 2014
Every Little Thing by Cedella Marley is a upbeat song containing a powerful underling message of love and peace. The main character is a boy who refuses to be brought down emotionally. The picture book takes children on a story where three little birds lead him along for the day. The language can be connected to more that just the book and the new added lyrics provide opportunities for students to create their own lyrics reflecting love, friendship or peace.
"Don't worry about a thing
cause every little thing is gonna be alright
don't worry about a thing
every little thing is gonna be alright"
"Don't worry about a thing
cause every little thing is gonna be alright
don't worry about a thing
every little thing is gonna be alright"
April 2, 2013
An adaptation of Bob Marley's song "Three Little Birds." Each page is powerful, encouraging, and uplifting which makes it a fun read aloud. Mixed media artwork is a feast for the eyes. It is rich in color and texture and fun details that can be picked up with several re-readings.
I was hoping this book would have a CD included with it, but this doesn't detract from this book's greatness.
An author's note follows the story and gives a few details about Marley's childhood and the way this song has influenced the author (his oldest daughter).
I was hoping this book would have a CD included with it, but this doesn't detract from this book's greatness.
An author's note follows the story and gives a few details about Marley's childhood and the way this song has influenced the author (his oldest daughter).
September 10, 2014
I remember how much I loved read-a-long cassette tape books when I was a child, so I jumped at the chance to "sing-a-long" when reading this wonderful book with my daughter. It is one we will read a few times, and then a few times more. Great message, great illustrations and I really enjoyed the adaptations made to make it very kid relatable and appropriate. My daughter really enjoyed singing this with me. Needless to say, we both have heard the song this book was adapted from more than a few times.
October 19, 2012
Exuberant illustrations, wonderful details throughout, from the interplay between the cat and the birds, to the boy wearing a Marley T shirt. I liked that one page showed the mom singing and playing a guitar, a nice note in a book based on a song. I do wish that the new verses were a little more closely fit to simple language and steady beat of the original, and that the situations depicted weren't so cliched.
June 9, 2014
This book is a little hard to read because it's derived from the song, and the extra verses don't quite work if you're singing (plus I don't really sing). But the pictures are so good, my kids wouldn't care if it had no words at all. They especially like the verse about everybody making mistakes. Really beautiful and accessible to kids.
August 30, 2015
A wonderful way to introduce children to Jamaican music and culture. This song has a wonderful message that children need today. There are so many obstacles today that make it hard for children to have a carefree, stress-free life. But with the love, support and encouragement of family and friends, nothing will keep them down forever.
October 15, 2012
Can't imagine a more uplifting book and the adaptation so the message will make sense in a little one's world seriously brought tears to my eyes. The details with homage to Bob make this book just that more awesome.
April 15, 2013
Three little birds help encourage a boy throughout the story as he goes throughout his day. A writing activity for this book could be having the kids write encouraging letters to one another. This could be good for building up a classroom community.
September 23, 2013
This is one of those rare books that falls into your hands just when you need it most. I've long been a fan of Bob Marley's music, and to have this charming song interpreted by his daughter Cedella.
It is helping me at a rather rough point in my life, so I fully admit to a certain level of bias.
It is helping me at a rather rough point in my life, so I fully admit to a certain level of bias.
May 28, 2014
Based on the Bob Marley song, this book adds cute, kid-friendly pictures to the words. The added text to make the song into more of a story doesn't always flow quite as well as the song alone. Over all a cute idea but not the best book ever.
March 2, 2016
This story is adapted from Bob Marley's song, Three Little Birds. A tale of the hope that the love of family will give you. The illustrations are colorful and will give hours of enjoyment for young kids. 4 stars
June 10, 2019
I like when my mom sings me this book.
September 19, 2021
Reflections and lessons learned:
"Don't worry 'bout a thing
'Cause every little thing is gonna be all right"
I’m not a huge fan of the genre of reggae, but for the amount of times I’ve auto filled this song from the words “every little thing…�, I’m ashamed to admit that I never actually knew the proper title of this song. The perfect tonic of wonderfully positive song lyrics, beautiful illustrations and the magical reminder of how achingly gorgeously important family can be� a song that I already enjoyed, has suddenly taken on a whole new meaning that couldn’t be better timed� one to share with loved ones at any time
"Don't worry 'bout a thing
'Cause every little thing is gonna be all right"
I’m not a huge fan of the genre of reggae, but for the amount of times I’ve auto filled this song from the words “every little thing…�, I’m ashamed to admit that I never actually knew the proper title of this song. The perfect tonic of wonderfully positive song lyrics, beautiful illustrations and the magical reminder of how achingly gorgeously important family can be� a song that I already enjoyed, has suddenly taken on a whole new meaning that couldn’t be better timed� one to share with loved ones at any time
July 28, 2022
Beautiful pictures!
The book had the song and chorus but then add new lines how this can apply to children’s real life. Very sweet.
You can use this book to “read between the lines�/make inferences about how the people are feeling by using the words and illustrations. Inferring can be a difficult thing for children. This book can help kids practice in a creative way.
Art project: Create Art where it shows before the trouble/worry and then after how the person can stil find joy.
The book had the song and chorus but then add new lines how this can apply to children’s real life. Very sweet.
You can use this book to “read between the lines�/make inferences about how the people are feeling by using the words and illustrations. Inferring can be a difficult thing for children. This book can help kids practice in a creative way.
Art project: Create Art where it shows before the trouble/worry and then after how the person can stil find joy.
January 27, 2018
The only way to read this book is by singing it!! We LOVE this book
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November 6, 20161. No awards
2. Preschool- grade 3
3. This book is an adaptation of Bob Marley's song, "Three Little Birds." The story tells of a young boy who overcomes obstacles, and nothing can get him down. The boy's day cannot be ruined as long as he has his three little birds with him.
4. This story makes the classic heartwarming song by Bob Marley accessible to young children. With colorful illustrates to fit the song, it gives children a positive message about remaining positive.
5. This book can be used in a self-confidence unit to demonstrate to students about staying positive. It is also good to demonstrate to students about adapting songs to books.
2. Preschool- grade 3
3. This book is an adaptation of Bob Marley's song, "Three Little Birds." The story tells of a young boy who overcomes obstacles, and nothing can get him down. The boy's day cannot be ruined as long as he has his three little birds with him.
4. This story makes the classic heartwarming song by Bob Marley accessible to young children. With colorful illustrates to fit the song, it gives children a positive message about remaining positive.
5. This book can be used in a self-confidence unit to demonstrate to students about staying positive. It is also good to demonstrate to students about adapting songs to books.
December 3, 2012
The illustrations and message are great. However, the additional verses don't fit the tune any way shape or form. And the song cadences make this too choppy to read out loud. Not what it could have been.
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